Multiple Blue Jackets players miss practice for COVID-19 related reasons

Columbus Blue Jackets players gather at center ice during NHL hockey practice Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (Jay LaPrete/AP)

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced that multiple players will miss practice on Friday due to COVID-19 protocols.

“The Columbus Blue Jackets have held a number of players out of today’s scheduled practice out of an abundance of caution and in accordance with NHL Covid-19 protocols,” the team said in a statement.

The team did hold a skate Friday morning but cancelled a second practice session scheduled for the afternoon. According to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, only 21 players were on the ice Friday. Seth Jones and captain Nick Foligno were among the players absent, according to Portzline.

The Blue Jackets weren’t the only team to have training camp disrupted by COVID-19 on Friday. The Dallas Stars cancelled practice entirely Friday, with reports indicating COVID-19 was responsible for that decision.

Under the NHL’s new rules and protocols for the pandemic-shortened season, teams are not permitted to identify any individuals who are absent from training camp for COVID-19 related reasons. However, once the regular season begins, players who do test positive or are close contacts with someone who does will be identified.

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